Welcome to the true beginnings of modern history. It is here that revolution and social change really get their start in European, indeed, in Western history.
Hobbes versus Locke on political rights and powers of the individual in society, as well as what ought to be the powers of government. Do note that neither of these men is typically considered a philosophe , but their writings, especially Locke's, contributed heavily to much of the political discourse in Europe from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century.
The Beginning of the Enlightenment
This is really where this course begins to take off. We will start with an understanding of just how ideas got around in the mid-18th century.
The first thing we want to have done is to get a general overview of this period by examining specific ideas of a few key people/groups. For this open this document and complete the chart as instructed.
The primary source of information for the masses came largely from a thing called a pamphlet. This small, easy to carry items allowed ideas that would have landed one in jail to be easily carried and hidden.
Often times these pamphlets were really a story, or letter which used satire to ridicule the establishment of the day. These pamphlets called ultimately were calling for change.
For an example of a pamphlet see:http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/8/8e/250px-Commonsense.jpg This makes reference to Thomas Paine's Common Sense which advocated rebellion against British tyranny in the Thirteen Colonies.
Notes on powerpoint:
Classroom discussion, "What would they have said?". In groups of three students, one is the recorder/director discuss the questions asked about how the philosophes would have responded to contemporary issues. Be sure to pay attention to the time (15 minutes).
post your group's findings here
Short assignment: "What's your beef?"
Use the space to enter your own pamphlet in which you write a brief satire of something that really bothers you and that you would like to see people rally in support to change. Try to be creative in your satire or letter, and be specific in what you would like to see change. When one reads your satire, or letter they should be convinced that what you are advocating is really a good, albeit risky, idea. This is due on ___. It will be worth 30 marks. No more than 750 words. Done on your own. For a full grade (five marks of the 30) you must comment on five of the pamphlets produced by the other students in the class. Your commentary should be done by the end of the class on Tuesday, September 30.
See this first installment in Thomas Paine's Common Sense pamphlet.
The Enlightenment
Welcome to the true beginnings of modern history. It is here that revolution and social change really get their start in European, indeed, in Western history.
Documents for reading:
- Kant's interpretation of what it means to be enlightened. Kant actually wrote after the period called the Enlightenment, typically referred to as the Romantic era.What is does it mean to be enlightened by Emmanual Kant
- For a simpler, much more condensed version of the above essay, see the first primary document in this selection package of primary examples
EnlightenmentDocPak-3.doc
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- 61 KB
- Hobbes versus Locke on political rights and powers of the individual in society, as well as what ought to be the powers of government. Do note that neither of these men is typically considered a philosophe , but their writings, especially Locke's, contributed heavily to much of the political discourse in Europe from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century.
- What is the Enlightenment?
WhatistheEnlightenment.doc
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- 94 KB
- Class assignment: Are you enlightened? (To be done with a parent/guardian)
Parent+Assignment.doc
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- 27 KB
The Beginning of the EnlightenmentThis is really where this course begins to take off. We will start with an understanding of just how ideas got around in the mid-18th century.
The first thing we want to have done is to get a general overview of this period by examining specific ideas of a few key people/groups. For this open this document and complete the chart as instructed.
The primary source of information for the masses came largely from a thing called a pamphlet. This small, easy to carry items allowed ideas that would have landed one in jail to be easily carried and hidden.
Often times these pamphlets were really a story, or letter which used satire to ridicule the establishment of the day. These pamphlets called ultimately were calling for change.
For an example of a pamphlet see:http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/8/8e/250px-Commonsense.jpg This makes reference to Thomas Paine's Common Sense which advocated rebellion against British tyranny in the Thirteen Colonies.
Notes on powerpoint:
Classroom discussion, "What would they have said?". In groups of three students, one is the recorder/director discuss the questions asked about how the philosophes would have responded to contemporary issues. Be sure to pay attention to the time (15 minutes).
Short assignment: "What's your beef?"
Use the space to enter your own pamphlet in which you write a brief satire of something that really bothers you and that you would like to see people rally in support to change. Try to be creative in your satire or letter, and be specific in what you would like to see change. When one reads your satire, or letter they should be convinced that what you are advocating is really a good, albeit risky, idea. This is due on ___. It will be worth 30 marks. No more than 750 words. Done on your own. For a full grade (five marks of the 30) you must comment on five of the pamphlets produced by the other students in the class. Your commentary should be done by the end of the class on Tuesday, September 30.
See this first installment in Thomas Paine's Common Sense pamphlet.
What's your beef?
Notes for American Revolution of Independence